02 - Remote


GENERAL

The remote function allows you to connect multiple SCRATCH systems in one session in an easy manner with next to none network setup required. The main principles of a remote session are:

  • You initiate a remote session from within the Player
  • To join a remote session from the startup screen by entering a session-id, that is provided by the initiator. You then automatically switch over to the Player
  • When you exit the Player you automatically disconnect from the session. When the initiator exits the player the session is automatically closed.
  • The session covers a single Construct. You can not switch between CONtructs in a session.
  • The initiator is by default the moderator in the session - which allows him to make changes to the project. The moderator role can be passed on to other participants by the initiator.
  • After a session ends - all changes to the project are stored in the local database of the initiator. No project database is maintained with each of the participants.

START A REMOTE SESSION

To start a remote session click the Remote button in to View Port toolbar.

Start Remote

CONNECTION TYPE

Select one of three connection types

  • Peer-to-Peer: each participant has a direct connection with each other participant. This is an efficient way of communicating but not all routers except this type of connection and you may have to revert to Server Relay.
  • Server Relay: each participant is connected to a central server and all communication between participants goes through that server process.
  • Local Network: if all participants are on the same local network (e.g. within a facility or in a closed on-set environment) you should use this type.

SECURE MEDIA

In a remote session not all participants are required to have a copy of the project media. If a participant does not have the media locally it will request a copy of the current frame with the initiator of the session. That frame is stored locally on disk. Enabling the Secure Media option does not cache the media on disk and only holds a cached version in memory, which is cleared after ending the session.

SESSION KEY

When selecting the Start button a new session is created, identified by a session key. You pass the session key to all those that you want to participate on the session.

JOIN A REMOTE SESSION

Start Remote

CONNECTION TYPE

When joining an existing session you can only select from one of two connection types: Internet (either being server relay or peer-to-peer but that decision was already made by the initiator) or local network - in which case SCRATCH will scan the local network for the initiator.

SESSION KEY

Enter the session key as provided by the initiator.

MEDIA PATH

A participant may or may not have a local copy of the media at his disposal. In either case a media path and a cache path needs to be set. The media path is where SCRATCH will look for the media used in the project used in the session. In case the participant does not have a copy of the media on his local system, SCRATCH will request the media from the initiator and store it in the cache folder.

If the participant does have a copy of the media on his local system it is important to set the media path to the correct folder. The root media folder should be at the same relative lever as that on the initiator side. When connected you can see if the media path of you and the initiator align by viewing the media details section in the Remote dialog.

Although it is from a performance standpoint most ideal to have a copy of the media on each of the systems of the participants, it is not required. If SCRATCH detects that it does not have the media it will request the current frame from the initiator of the session. The system of the initiator will generate and send a jpeg2000 proxy image to the participant. By default this proxy image is of the highest possible quality but in case of bandwidth limitations you can adjust this with the Remote parameters in the Advanced Preferences “Remote” part.    

COLOR POINTERS

When connecting to a remote session, each participants is assigned a color. This is used as a highlight color to show a click of a participants on the systems of all other participants.

SCOPE OF THE SESSION

A remote session covers only the current Construct of the initiator. You can use the full Matrix and Edit toolset. Only the changes that the current moderator makes are passed to all other participants. Note that the timeline position is constantly synchronized between all participants, as is a switch to and from Source mode. The menu views are however not synchronized. That means that if the moderator switches from the Matrix to the Editor the participants will not switch with him but will see any edit changes he makes.     


Posted - Thursday, March 28, 2024 4:03:05 PM
https://www.assimilatesupport.com/akb/KnowledgebaseArticle50995.aspx